Worrying is commonplace when you have an elderly aunt or parent who’s living alone, and you’re not able to manage their care by yourself. You may have considered solutions like nursing homes or assisted living, only to be discouraged by your elderly relative. It’s no surprise that elders prefer spending their retirement years at home, to which they have deep, emotional connections. In that case, you’re likely to consider home healthcare, but after figuring out how to finance it, how to pay for home health care. 

What’s the cost associated with home health care for elders? 

The cost of home health care varies by location. On a general note, home health care costs higher on the east and west coasts and in urban areas as compared to what it costs in the central USA and rural areas. The cost is also influenced by what services you’re hoping to avail. “Homemaker” services such as management of nutrition, household errands, and general companionship typically add to the basic amount charged by home healthcare aides. 

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From teeth whitening to implants, the demand for cosmetic dentistry has skyrocketed in recent years. Now, the typical dental patient is more aware and educated on the aesthetic options available in modern practices than ever before.

In fact, a report by the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry discovered the dental industry has seen a 46% increase in cosmetic patients compared to general patients (18%) and with 2019 fast approaching, this number is certainly set to rise through the ’new year, new you’ buzz.

Naturally, upping your marketing spend is the natural reaction to meet this increased demand and out-perform your competition. But simply throwing money at your campaigns isn’t enough without multi-channel marketing attribution. Otherwise, how can you tell if your increased budgets have been worthwhile?

Whether you’re using offline print, social media or pay-per-click (PPC) advertising, utilizing multi-channel marketing attribution is exactly how cosmetic dentist businesses can determine their precise return on investment (ROI) for each marketing avenue. [Read more…]

Some customers have experienced issues while paying for products from the Neuropathy Treatment Group. Shipping was a problem for some of them as well. These complaints have brought this company into sharp focus and many people are asking whether this company is reputable.

Answering that is only possible by examining the company’s history, online reviews, and manufacturing process. Examining its customer support services and its products is also important.

Here is an overview of Neuropathy Treatment Group complaints. Is the company reputable?

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The discomfort, fatigue, and pain of type one diabetes has led patients and tech enthusiasts to move beyond the state of regulators, manufacturers, and what is available the market. While patients complain that regulators have been slow to approve the necessary closed loop technology that will help them managed type one, they have begun creating their own technologies and hacking into devices to create their own closed loop systems. Now there is a debate about safety, effectiveness, and affordability swirling around on the message boards where the so-called We Are Not Waiting Movement was first incepted.

What’s Available on the Market?

Currently there are no closed loop insulin pump systems available on the market. The only device that comes close is the Medtronic MiniMed 670G, a hybrid system that communicates glucose levels to the insulin pump with an algorithm, but uses very conservative determinations of insulin doses and does not allow the user to customize settings for their target glucose levels.   

Users complain that there are too many alerts. This is because the hybrid system does not pre-emptively prevent rises and falls in glucose levels, they are adjusted after the blood sugar has already fallen or risen. The caution comes from not wanting to accidentally dose too much or too little insulin and be liable to the consumer. The hybrid glucose monitor and insulin pump puts safety first, with the regulators in mind.

Only available in the United States, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the hybrid system in 2016, and there still hasn’t been another device to get through regulators. Basic economics are applied, and since they dominate the market, the price is high. It sells at $7,250, though some insurance plans cover it. After two years, the Medtronic 670G will be available in Europe for the first time at the end of 2018.  [Read more…]

The mining industry has become synonymous with bad health, safety risks and a bad reputation for injury and illness overall. With the days of underground coal mines filled with mine carts and rusty tracks behind us, the mining industry has a much stronger focus on the health and safety of every employee involved. However, given that mining can still be a physically demanding job despite the introduction of technologies such as the drilling rig and monitoring equipment. With that in mind, how do miners stay fit enough for the job? We’re exploring, below.

What Issues Can Mining Cause?

When it comes to the traditional form of mining, or in some cases even modern mining, there are two main concerns that employees typically suffer from – Issues with their eyes and issues with their lungs. While the risks associated with inhaling dust and ash may seem relatively self-explanatory, the true extent of the issues often goes unspoken about. Reduced oxygen flow due to the settling of microscopic dust can lead to chronic fatigue and fatal issues like heart failure and lung disease. For miners working underground, the lack of lighting and the need to adjust to dim, or poorly-lit mines could suffer from pain and even temporary blindness when coming up from below ground.

So, how do we reduce these chances and keep fit? [Read more…]

Although advancements in medical technology have came a long way, there are still a variety of conditions and illnesses which can prove very detrimental to our health. However, many have telltale signs that can be detected early to either stop the process before it damages our health too much or at the very least slow its effects. In this guide, straight stairlifts provider, Acorn Stairlifts, advises how to spot the signs of a number of different conditions:

Arthritis

Arthritis refers to the breakdown of the tissue found inside the joints, with the result being inflammation, pain and restricted movement of the area of the body concerned — as well as the apparent weakness within the joints affected. An estimated ten million people suffer from arthritis in the UK, according to the NHS, with individuals of all ages affected.

Although there is no known cure for arthritis, there are various dietary changes you can make and lifestyle hobbies to pick up that can help relieve the pain.

Telltale signs to look out for of arthritis include if someone is feeling unusually fatigued. This is sometimes accompanied by a general feeling of ill health, as well as stiffness in the morning that can last for a few minutes or even several hours. Be aware of stiffness and/or in one or more of the body’s smaller joints too, and mild inflammation of the joints concerned. This inflammation may also cause surrounding tendons and ligaments to become unstable or deformed, meaning that the range of motion is decreased, while pain and inflammation of the joints may be accompanied by a low-grade fever.

For information and support with regard to arthritis, take a look at the NHS’s advice about living with arthritis and Arthritis Care’s managing arthritis guide. [Read more…]

Your body is composed of intricate systems, each playing a variety of roles to ensure your well-being. The abdomen is responsible for breaking down the food you ingest and absorbing the nutrients which are responsible for energy production. The gut works behind the scenes and is hugely responsible for keeping your body in good condition. It is also responsible for eliminating toxins and waste from the body. Notably, more than 65% of your body’s immune system is in the gut. Therefore, the importance of the abdomen cannot be overstressed.

What Is The Gut?

Gut refers to portions of the alimentary canal (digestive tract) including the stomach, intestines, and the anus through which you excrete the waste.

Pointers To What Is Happening In The Gut

There is an excellent connection between a healthy gut and good overall health. Most poor health symptoms can in one way or another trace back to the stomach. There are specific pointers to what goes on in the gut. [Read more…]

Working in healthcare is challenging enough and can become even more difficult of a job when dealing with difficult patients. Accept that this comes with the position and then learn strategies that are going to allow you to handle these situations with more ease and confidence.

What you don’t want to do is let your emotions get the best of you and act unprofessionally. It’s extremely important you can keep your cool and maintain your poise in all circumstances with patients. While it won’t be easy, the process of doing so will become less tiresome and taxing over time as you gain additional experience. There are, however, many advantages of working in healthcare.

1. Engage in Conversation & Actively Listen

One strategy you can use when working with difficult patients is to engage in conversation with them proactively, and actively listen. Pay attention to what they’re trying to tell you and their main concerns as you converse. Repeat back what you think you heard so you can confirm that’s exactly how they’re feeling at the time. Get them to do a lot of the talking so you can truly understand where they’re coming from and see their side of the story. However, be in control of the conversation by asking the right questions and getting them to refocus if they happen to go off on a tangent.

2. Help Them Problem Solve

Patients may be acting difficult because they’re feeling scared, surprised or are trying to cope with the fear of the unknown. Be understanding of this reality and help them to problem solve, so they don’t feel helpless or stuck. For instance, if it’s a scenario of someone aging who can no longer care for themselves, then offer up an in-home care solution provided by trusted home care specialists at CareBuilders. They’ll appreciate you coming to the table with ideas for how they can go on with their life and daily schedule without feeling so afraid. Do your homework and present several options for them so they can choose the one that fits their needs the best.    [Read more…]

By David Cordani and Dick Traum

The current U.S. health care system was designed to take care of sick people instead of keep people healthy, which has helped instill a culture of passivity when it comes to taking care of our own health. We must do more – as individuals and families, as communities and as a society, to encourage all Americans to be proactive about their health in order to live healthier, happier lives, and to help transform the health care system into one that is personalized, supportive and connected.

We’ve seen improvement in overall health and well-being through the power of passionate, supportive, close-knit groups of people. We lead organizations committed to making meaningful differences in people’s lives—Cigna, a global health service company dedicated to improving the health, well-being and sense of security of the people it serves, and Achilles International, a nonprofit that enables people with all types of disabilities to participate in mainstream running events—so, we’ve been fortunate to witness the power of personal connection firsthand both personally and professionally. [Read more…]